''Abe'' Lincoln's Yarns and Stories - University of Macau Library

Yarns and Stories, by Alexander K. McClure 182Tradition says that "during the interview she became very much excited,and after various predictions, exclaimed: 'You will be President, and all thenegroes will be free.'"That the old voodoo negress should have foretold that the visitor would bePresident is not at all incredible. She doubtless told this to many aspiringlads, but Lincoln, so it is avowed took the prophecy seriously.TOO MUCH POWDER.So great was Lincoln's anxiety for the success of the Union arms that heconsidered no labor on his part too arduous, and spent much of his time inlooking after even the small details.Admiral Dahlgren was sent for one morning by the President, who said"Well, captain, here's a letter about some new powder."After reading the letter he showed the sample of powder, and remarked thathe had burned some of it, and did not believe it was a good article--herewas too much residuum."I will show you," he said; and getting a small piece of paper, placedthereupon some of the powder, then went to the fire and with the tongspicked up a coal, which he blew, clapped it on the powder, and after theresulting explosion, added, "You see there is too much left there."SLEEP STANDING UP.McClellan was a thorn in Lincoln's side--"always up in the air," as thePresident put it--and yet he hesitated to remove him. "The YoungNapoleon" was a good organizer, but no fighter. Lincoln sent himeverything necessary in the way of men, ammunition, artillery andequipments, but he was forever unready.Instead of making a forward movement at the time expected, he wouldnotify the President that he must have more men. These were given him as